Cable cutter



' Dec. 13, 1938. v R. TEMPLE, JR 2,140,338

CABLE CUTTER Filed April 19, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l 16 ATTORNEYS.

R. TEMPLE, JR 2,140,338

7 CABLE CUTTER Filed April 19, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY 65% ,m aaw-v i244 IA lQ Dec. 13, 1938.

. WITNESSES dad/ J.

Patented Dec. 13, 1938 2 140 33 UNE'EE STARS UABLE CUTTER Robert Temple, In, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application April 19, 1937, Serial No. 137,711

1'] Claims. (CL 164-47) This invention relates to explosively actuated operation and wherein readily replaceable means tools, such as are adapted to cut cables and the of desired strength are provided for preventing like, and more particularly is concerned with the shearing operation until the full force of the portable apparatus of the type indicated capable detonated explosive charge has been realized.

of under-water use. The foregoing and other objects of my inven- 5 Heretofore explosively operated tools, such as tion are achieved by the embodiment of the incable cutters, have been provided wherein explovention illustrated in the accompanying drawsive means, for example blank cartridges, proings wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation partly vide the power when detonated to operate the broken away to illustrate details of the lock for work performing tools. While there has been the breech block; Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse 10 some attempt to employ apparatus of the indisectional view taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 1; Fig. cated character under water, I have found that 3 is a top view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 withia their operation, and particularly their repeated port o t reo b e y to Show details of operation under water, is difiicult and often imthe cable clamping mechanism; Fig. 4 is a side possible. Moreover, with known types of exploelevation of the lower portion of the shear illusl5 sively actuated shears a pair of cutter blades trating the mec an o Clamping a cable either pivotally or reciprocably mounted are prothe like in shearing position; Fig. 5 is a view simvided and in this construction there is always ilar to Fig. 2 with the breech and piston portions a tendency for the cutting edges of the blades nly bein illu ra ed a of a modified form of to become misaligned during the cutting operathe invention; and Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 20 tion with the resultant binding action. Further, 5 but illustrates another modification of the inin known apparatus the full force of the explove t nsive charge has not always been employed. In Although certa e es of y invenlilen are addition, with present constructions mechanisms broadly pp cable o explosively actuated tools for clamping the work to be operated on, ejectand are so claimed hereinafter, they are partice 25 mg the explosive means after detonation, reloadulerly p ed to t C ns ru t 0i and u ing, insuring safety in operation, and the like with shears for cutting cables and the like and have either not been provided, or are difficult to c o d y e been 50 illustrated and Will be operate or expensive toconstruct. so described.

It is the general object of my invention to In h mpanyin aw n the numeral 30 avoid and overcome the foregoing difflculties of indicates e e y a (rp a e having and objections to prior known explosively actuopposed leg portions l2 and It. The leg portion ated devices by the provision of an improved I4 is formed with a bore l6 Whose axis is in alignapparatus operated by explosive means. ment with a bore I8 formed in the leg H2. The

as Another object of my invention is the provision e d of the bore l6 remotefro t e leg I2 is of an explosively operated tool which can b rethreaded or otherwise adapted to removably and peatedly used for under-water work and wh readjustably receive a barrel 20 which slidably carin re oad ng while under water is readily accomries a piston 22 for movement to and from the plished. leg I2.

Another object of my invention is the provl- The piston 22 removably carries a male cutting 40 sion of a shear for cutting cables and the like die 26 as by the provision of a. threaded connecwherein the cutting operation is performed by n 26 an a lo king s t cr w 8- T e leg l2 complementary male and female dies while holdarries a fem le ut in die 30 h v n an p ing the member to be sheared tightly in the ing 32 therein complemental to and receiving the desired shearing position. 4 end of the male cutting die N at the end of the 5 Another object of my invention is to provide shearing operation. In the embodiment of the an explosively actuated apparatus which is readinvention illustrated the male cutting die 24 and ily reloaded and wherein automatic means for he bore 32 of the female cutting die 30 are cirejecting the explosive means are included tocular in cross-section. I, ho p ate 5o gether with safety means for preventing acciother cross-section shape for example,

dental operation of the apparatus. square or rectangular.

rear orr ca Another object of my invention is the provision In all events the female cutting die 30 is formed of an explosively operated shear wherein readily with anvils 36 at each side of the bore 32 and replaceable cutting dies are provided so as to w a c a Opening 36 above the anvil 55 adapt the apparatus to handle any particular portions 34. "The sides of the fram "I are re- 5 to be sheared can be moved laterally into the recess 38 through the cradle-like opening 36 and down against the anvils 34 of the female cutting die where-it is positioned ready to be sheared. The female cutting die 30 is normally held in po .sition in the leg I2 in quickly releasable manner, as by set screw 31, so that if desired a female cutting die of other characteristics or size can be substituted for that illustrated.

In order to hold the cable C or other member in the proper position in the :iemale cutting die 30 before and during the shearing operation, I preferably provide readily releasable clamping means. In the embodiment of my invention shown these clamping means include hook-shaped members d2 having operating arms 44 and openlugs 46 between the arms and the curved ends of the hook-shaped members. The hook-shaped members are pivotally carried upon circular bosses or studs 48 provided on the sides of the leg l2 and cut away so as to provide for the reception of the cable C on the anvils 34. Cover plates 50 secured to the bosses 48 as by cap screws 52 secure the members 42 in position. As best seen in Fig. 3, the end of each arm 44 is provided with a knob 54 carrying a spring-pressed detent,

' indicated generally at 56, which is received by a recess 58 and a recess '80 to hold the member 42 in the open or the clamping position, respectively.

It is highly advisable in the operation of an explosive shear, and particularly where the shear is to be employed under water, to utilize the full force of the explosive operating charge. This is accomplished in the embodiment of my invention illustrated by the provision of a holder 62,. shaped like a frying pan, which removably receives a shear plate G l, ordinarily of soft metal such as copper. The holder 62 is adapted to be received in a complemental opening in the leg I2 and rests on the upper end of the female cutting die 38. The lower end of the male die 24 engages with the shear plate b t, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 2, and as will be understood the thickness of the plate determines the amount of retarding force provided thereby. Usually the plate $4 is formed with.opposed radially extending slots so that after thecenter of the plate is sheared out the plate is in two'halves which can be readily separated from the male die 24. -Instead of employing the shear plate 65 I may use a replaceable shear pin between the piston 22 and the barrel 20 or the leg Id although this is not preferred.

The barrel 2G is provided with a breech I which is preferably integral with the barrel and which is ordinarily formed with a bevel I2 adjacent to and in alignment with a bevel formed on the end of the piston so that little or no explosion chamber is provided between the end of thepiston and the breech of the barrel. This is important in under-water operation as hereinafter described. The breech ill has an axial bore 73 in alignment with the piston 22 and receives an explosive charge, ordinarily in the form of a blank cartridge It. a

Slidably carried by the breech'l0 for movement to cover or expose the cartridge I6 is a breech block indicated, as a whole, by the numeral 76. The slidable mounting of the breech block I6 upon the breech I0 is provided for in the form of my invention illustrated by forming the breech block I6 of inverted U-shape and the breech "I0 with an upstanding rib 18 received between the cessed at 38 so that a cable 0 orother member inverted legs 00 of the breech block. Interlocking ribs or shoulders on the rib I8 and-lugs 80 provide a gibbed connection between the breech block 16 and the breech 10, as best seen in Fig. 1. A cap screw 82 secured to one of the legs 80 and having its end received in a groove 84 milled in the side of the rib I8 of the breech I0 limits the sliding movement of the breech block IE on the breech I0.

In order to lock the breech block 18 in firing position relative to the breech I0, I provide a spring-positioned plunger 90 on one end of the breech block I6 and having a key 02 carried at its lower extremity and adapted to be received by a keyway 94 cut vertically in the shoulder of the rib 10 formed on the breech I0. With the breech block IS in the proper position relative to the breech 10 the key 92 carried bythe springpositioned plunger 90 is received in the keyway 94 to lock the breech in position. When it is desired to move the breech block away from the breech so as to expose the cartridge 14, the spring-' positioned plunger 80 is depressed to move the key 92 out of the key slot 94 whereupon the breech block can be moved laterally with the key 02 riding below the shoulder formed on the rib 18 of the breech 70.

In the movement of the breech block 10 to the open position the cartridge 14 is adapted to be ejected by suitable mechanism which in the form of my invention illustrated includes a finger 96 gibbed to the breech 10 for sliding movement parallel to the axis of the barrel 20. The finger 00 is received in a suitable recess in the end of the breech I0 and includes a portion extending beneath the shoulder of the cartridge I4. A bell crank 93 pivotally mounted upon a pin I00 in a slot I02 cut in the breech I0 is plvotally secured by a pin and slot connection I04 to the finger 96. The upper end of the bell crank 80 is slidably received by a groove I06 formed in the breech block 716 and terminating in a shoulder I08 which engages with the bell crank 88 during the final opening movement of the breech block to rock the bell crank, raise the finger 96, and elect the cartridge I4 from the breech F0. The forward under portion of the breech block I6 is provided with an inclined surfaceitS which aids in the insertion of a cartridge in the breech, as hereinafter described.

The breech block It carries a firing pin H2 which is urged toward the cartridge II by a compression spring 693. To the upper end of the firing pin is secured a flexible chain Ill of some six inches in length and this secured at its other end to a safety pin H6 which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, normally extends through thefiring pin behind a cap H8 rotatably secured to the breech block It as by cap screws I09 having ends ex 'tending into a circular groove formed on the end of the breech block I6. The rotary mounting of the cap I I8 allows it to be turned in any direction to facilitate firing of the apparatus. Thus with the safety pin H in position the firing pin H2 is held positively in a retarded inoperative position. The trigger or release mechanism for controlling the operation of the firing pin H2 includes a detent I20 slidably received in a suitable bore I22 formed in the cap H8 and normally urged by a compression spring I26 into a groove I24 cut in the side of the firing pin. The detent I20 is connected to a fiexible wire or cord I28 which can be of anylength. so that the re- It is believed that the operation of my improved shear will be evident from the foregoing description. However, briefiy reviewing the operation and with the parts in the position shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the safety pin I l 6 is removed and the person operating the shear goes to any desired position remote from the shear and pulls the wire I28. This moves the detent I20 out of the groove i in the side of the firing pin H2 and the firing pin is driven down against the end of the cartridge id to detonate it. The piston 22 is held against movement by the shear plate 64 until a predetermined pressure has been built up by the exploded cartridge at which time the male cutting die 24 shears the plate 64. The die 26 now is driven down against the cable C by the pressure behind the piston. This pressure combined with the momentum built up by the piston in its travel from the initially held position to engagement with the cable C causes the die 2% to cut out a short length of the cable C and drive the severed length down through the bores 32 and IS. The shear plate 65 acts as a. cushion between the lower end of the piston and the upper end of the holder 52 to stop the movement of the piston.

If the cable is under tension when cut the ends may whip and it is for this reason that a wire or operating cord I28 of desired length is provided to permit the operator to retreat to a safe distance before operating the shear. When cables under no tension or only light tension are cut the operator can, of course, stand where desired. The spring-positioned plunger 90 is now pressed down as heretofore described to release the breech block 76 and to allow the operator to slide it laterally off the end of the breech ID to expose the end of the cartridge M. Engagement of the shoulder I I18 with the bell crank 98 causes the finger 96 to eject the cartridge M during the final movement of the breech block to open position.

After the cartridge 14 is removed, the arms 5d are rotated to bring the spring detents 5e thereof into engagement with the recesses 58 on the sides of the frame which moves the hookshaped members 52 to open position to allow the reloading of the shear. The piston 22 and male cutting die 24 are returned to their full line position and the barrel 20 and associated breech 10 are screwed partly out of the frame I0 so as to carry the male cutting die 24 away from the recesses 38 in the frame so that a new length of cable or the like to be severed can be positioned in the female cutting die. The arms 44 of the hook-shaped members 42 are then rotated back to the full line position shown in Fig, 4 to clamp the new member to be sheared in position.

A shear plate 64 of the desired thickness carried in the holder 62 is now positioned at the top of'the female cutting die 30 and the barrel 20 and breech I0 are screwed back into the frame I0 until the lower end of the male cutting die 24 is in snug engagement with the shear plate 64. A new cartridge is now inserted in the breech III until it engages with the upper end of the finger 96. Movement of the breech block 16 to cover the breech causes the inclined surface I05 of the block to engage with the upwardly extending finger 98 and cartridge to progressively move the cartridge and finger to the full line position shown in Fig. 2 as the breech block moves to its full line position. When in the full line position the spring-positioned plunger 90 automatically moves the key 92 into engagement with the keyway'94 of the breech In to lock the parts in the indicated position. The parts are now in the position illustrated in the drawings and the operation can be repeated. I

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 and heretofore described can be operated or fired above or below water. It can be reloaded above water but also can be reloaded under water without trapping water between the cartridge and the piston if there is sufficient clearance between the. bore I3 and the cartridge to allow water displaced by the insertion of a new cartridge to escape by a bleeding action. To this end I contemplate providing a loose fit between the cartridge and the bore, making the bore or the cartridge slightly oval, or providing bleeding vents or grooves on the surface of the bore.

The embodiments of my invention shown in Figs. 5 or 6 illustrate other specific constructions facilitating underwater operation and reloading. In Fig. 5 parts similar to parts of Fig. 2 have been indicated by like numerals except that the suflix a has been added. This embodiment of my invention is the same as that above described with the exception that the cartridge Ma. is formed with a longitudinal taper and is received by a tapered breech. The tapers make an angle of about five degrees with the axes of the cartridge and bore. Reloading of the apparatus under water is readily accomplished for the reason that as the tapered cartridge 14 is introduced into the breech, which is of course filled with water, the water is displaced by and fiows past the sides of the cartridge so that only a few drops of water remain between the cartridge and the end of the piston 22a after the cartridge is positioned completely within the breech.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in.

Fig. 6, parts similar to the shear indicated in Figs. 1 to 4 have been indicated by like numerals except that the suffix b has been added. In this form of my invention the breech 10b is provided with a small escape or bleeding passage I50 adjacent the end of the piston 22b. The passage I50 communicates with a bore I5I extending to the outer surface of the breech. An apertured plug I52 is threaded into the bore and by a spring I53 holds a ball I5 3 away from sealing relation with a valve seat formed on the end of the plug. The frame lilb is recessed as at I56 so that regardless of the several different possible positions for the breech 10b and barrel 20b in the frame IIlb the escape passage I50 and bore I5I are always open to the outside. In a reloading operation under water the slow. steady insertion of the cartridge 14b into the breech causes the displacement of the water through the escape passage I50 and around the ball I54 in the bore I5l, However, when the cartridge is detonated the heavy sudden pressure causes the spring I53 to yield to allow the ball I54 to seat on-the plug I52 and close the passage and bore. I

The operation of the embodiments of my invention ilustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 is substantially the same as that heretofore described in con-.

junction with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 except that reloading of the shear under water is facilitated.

- even to reloading under water. The cable or other member to be operated on is quickly and psitively clamped in position and shearing op-. erations are improved by the use of cooperating male and female cutting dies. The full force of the explosive power means is employed and cartridges of various sizes and strengths can be utilized. The reloading in particular and the operation in general are facilitated and the apparatus is quickly adapted to perform a widevariety of operations including sheet punching.

By cables and the like" as employed in the specification and claims, I intend to cover operations on rods, pipes, wires, strands or other similar articles Although dies having faces substantially perpendicular to their longitudinal axes have been illustrated and described I contemplate employing dies having faces inclined to their axes, as for example, dies having opposed V- shaped cutting edges receiving the member within the legs of the opposed We as will be understood.

While in accordance with the patent statutes several embodiments of my invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby but is defined in the'appended claims.

I claim:

1. A portable shear for cutting cables and the like comprising a C-shaped frame having opposed legs, a barrel removably and adjustably carried by one leg of the frame and having its axis extending toward the other leg, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, a male cutting die removably secured to the end of the piston adjacent the said other leg of the frame, a female cutting die removably secured to the said other leg of the frame, the female die having an open saddle adapted to receive a cable or the like andhold it bridged over the opening in the female die, shearable means positioned between the male and female cutting dies for holding the piston against movement until a predetermined force on the piston has been exceeded, a breech associated with the barrel and adapted to receive an explosive charge which when detonated drives the piston, a breech block slidably mounted on the breech for movement substantially at right angles to the piston, means carried by the breech for detonating an explosive charge, means operable by movement of the breech block for ejecting the detonated explosive means from the breech, and means for clamping a cable or the like in the saddle of the female die.

2. A portable shear for cutting cables and the like comprising a C-shaped frame having opposed legs, a barrel adjustably carried by one leg of the frame and having its axis extending toward the other leg, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, a male cutting die secured to the end of the piston adjacent the said other leg of the frame, a female cutting die secured to the said other leg of the frame, the female die having an open saddle adapted to receive a cable or the like and hold it bridged over the opening in the female die, shearable .means positioned between the male and female cutting dies for holding the piston against movement until a predetermined like comprising a c-shaped frame having 011- posed legs, a barrel adjustably carried by one leg of the frame and having its axis extending toward the other leg, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, 9. male cutting die carried by the piston, a; complemental female cutting die carew ried by the said other leg of the frame, the female die having an open saddle adapted to receive a cable or the like, means for holding the piston against movement until a predetermined force on the piston has been exceeded, a breech associated with the barrel and adapted to receive an explosive charge which when detonated drives the piston, a breech block slidably mounted on the breech for movement substantially at right angles to the piston, means for detonating an explosive charge carried by the breech, and means operable by movement of the breech block for ejecting the detonated explosive means from the breech.

4. A portable shear for cutting cables and the like comprising a C-shaped frame having opposed legs, a barrel carried by one leg of the frame and having its axis extending toward the other leg, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, a male cutting die carried by the piston, a female cutting die carried by the said other leg of the frame, the female die having an open saddle adapted to receive a cable or the like, means positioned between the male and female cutting dies for holding the piston against movement until a predetermined force on the piston has. been exceeded, a breech associated with the barre] and adapted to receive an explosive charge which when detonated drives the piston, a breech block removably positioned over the breech, means for detonating an explosive charge carried by the breech, and means for clamping a cable or the like in the saddle of the female die.

5. A portable tool for cutting cables, punching sheets, and the like comprising a c-shaped frame having opposed legs, a barrel carried by one leg of the frame and having its axis extending toward the other leg, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, 2, male cutting die carried by the piston, a female cutting die carried by the said other leg of the frame, the female die having an open saddle adapted to receive a cable or the like, means positioned between the male and female cutting dies for holding the piston against movement until a predetermined force on the piston has been exceeded, a breech associated with the barrel and adapted to receive an explosive charge which when detonated drives the piston, a breech block removably positioned over the breech, and means for detonating an explosive charge carried by the breech 6. A portable tool for cutting cables, punching sheets, and the like comprising a frame, a barre] removably carried by the frame, an anvil on the frame in alignment to the axis of the barrel, 8. piston slidably mounted in the barrel, a male cutting die carried by the piston, a female cutting die carried by the anvil, the female die having an open saddle adapted to receive a cable or the like, means positioned between the male and female cutting dies for holding the piston against movement until a predetermined force on the piston has been exceeded, a breech associated with the barrel and adapted to receive an explosive charge which when detonated drives explosive charge carried by the breech, means 1 operable by movement of the breech block for ejecting the detonated explosive means from the breech, and means for clamping a cable or the like in the saddle of the female die. I

7. A portable shear for cutting cables and the like comprising a frame, a barrel removably carried by the frame, an anvil on the frame in alignment to the axis of the barrel, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, a male cutting die carried by the piston, a female cutting die carried by the anvil, the female die having an open saddle adapted to receive a cable or the like, means for holding the piston against movement until a predetermined force on the piston has been exceeded, a breech associated with the barrel and adapted to receive an explosive charge which when detonated drives the piston, a breech block removably mounted on the breech, means for detonating an explosive charge carried by the breech, means for ejecting the detonated explosive means from the breech, and means for clamping a cable or the like in the saddle of the female die.

8. A portable shear for cutting cables and the like comprising a frame, a barrel removably carried by the frame, an anvil on the frame in alignment to the axis of the barrel, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, a male cutting die ,carried by the piston, a female cutting die carried by the anvil, the female die having an open saddle adapted to receive a cable or the like, means for holding the piston against movement until a predetermined force on the piston has been exceeded, a breech associated with the barrel and adapted to receive an explosive charge which when detonated drives the piston, a breech block removably mounted on the breech, and means for detonating an explosive charge carried by the breech.

9. A tool for cutting cables, punching sheets, and the like comprising a frame, a barrel carried by the frame, an anvil on the frame and in align ment with but spaced from the barrel, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, a cutting die removably carried by the piston, a cutting die removably carried by the anvil, the last-named die having an open saddle adapted to receive a cable or the like, a breech associated with the barrel and adapted to receive an explosive charge which when detonated drives the piston, a breech block removably positioned over the breech, and means for detonatingan explosive charge carried by the breech.

10. A portable tool for cutting cables, punch ing sheets, and the like comprising readily replaceable complementary male and female diesv explosive means adapted when detonated to drive the dies together, means associated with the female die for receiving and clamping a cable in a bridge position over the female die, means for holding the dies against relative movement until a predetermined force has been exceeded, and. means for detonating the explosive means.

ii. A portable tool for cutting cables, punching sheets, and the like comprising complementary male and female diesadapted to receive a cable or the like therebetween, explosive means adapted when detonated to drive the dies together, means for holding the dies against relative movement until a predetermined force has been exceeded, and means for detonating the explosive means, said means for holding the dies against relative movement until a predetermined force has been exceeded comprising a ring removably positioned over the female die and.

adapted to slidably receive themale die and a shear disc removably and repiaceably carried by the ring.

12. A portable shear including a frame, a bar- 'rel adjustably carried by the frame; a piston received by the barrel, means on the piston for shearing material placed thereunder. explosive;

means foroperating the piston, and means for moving the barrel relative to the frame to allow material to be placed under the means carried by the piston.

13. A tool adapted for operation in a substantially non-compressible fluid medium, such as water, and comprising a barrel, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, 2. cutting tool mounted on the piston, a breech associated with the barrel and having a tapered cartridge-receiving bore, said bore being tapered at least about five degrees with itslongitudinal axis, a tapered cartridge removably received in the bore, a breech block removably positioned over the bore, and

means for detonating the cartridge."

14., A tool comprising a barrel, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, a tool mounted on.

the piston, a breech associated with the barrel and having a tapered cartridge-receiving bore, said here being tapered at least about five degrees with its longitudinal axis, a tapered cartridge removably ,received in the bore, a breech block removably positioned over the bore, and means for detonating the cartridge.

15. A tool adapted for operation in a substantially non-compressible fluid medium, such as water, and comprising a barrel, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, a tool mounted on the piston, a breech associated with the barrel and having a cartridge-receiving bore, a cartridge removably received in the bore, said breech and its associated bore being so constructed andarranged that any of said fluid medium trapped by the insertion of the cartridge in the bore is bled away, a breech block removably positioned over the bore, and means for detonating the cartridge.

16. A tool adapted for operation in a substantially non-compressible fluid medium, such as water, and comprising a barrel, a piston slidably mounted in the barrel, a tool mounted on the piston, a breech associated with the barrel and having a cartridge-receiving bore, a cartridge removably received in the bore, means for bleeding I away any of said fluid medium trapped by the 

